Stay Positive
Hello from Lucy McBride, MD!
My office is humming. We are working hard to answer patient questions and meet their medical needs---COVID and non-COVID. (Yes, my practice was bustling well before this pandemic!) My team's energy is high, spirits up, and calm vigilance ongoing.
MEDICAL UPDATE
1. We are working hard to increase COVID testing for patients in the community who are sick but not sick enough to warrant the ER. Testing in the DC area remains relatively limited and potentially unsafe in that these sites invite sick people to a hub of other sick people where you could get COVID if you don’t already have it.
2. In my opinion, today there remain ONLY TWO PLACES FOR YOU TO BE: at home or in the ER. Because: A) Most healthy people with COVID recover fully on their own. AND B) There is no specific treatment for this virus other than rest, hydration, Tylenol, and time -- a vaccine and targeted meds against COVID are in the pipeline but not anywhere close to our near future.
3. Best practices continue to be social distancing and ideally fully isolating yourself from contacts (AND in a perfect world wearing a mask if you are sick with respiratory symptoms at home).
4. Go to the ER ONLY if severely ill (ex. fever/shortness of breath/underlying health conditions/age over 60, etc) but **PLEASE NOTE** these recommendations are extremely general and CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT apply to all people and all clinical situations. (This is why you have a doctor: for her to use her clinical judgment to decide on your specific plan of action when you are sick).
5. Continue to avoid Ibuprofen. Use Tylenol instead for aches/fever.
6. NOTE RECENT UPDATE from American Heart Association: there is not enough data to pull everyone off ACE inhibitors despite some very early data suggesting these meds perhaps can worsen outcomes in patient who are infected with COVID. I am changing certain patients over to a different class of medication depending on their clinical scenario. This is very much an individual decision between you and your doctor.
MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE
Today I would like to remind you about our basic needs as humans---they are amazingly simple!!---and offer you my personal version of "STEM":
S = sleeping: 7-8 hours if able (I can hear you say "ha!")
T = talking: to loved ones, friends, therapist if you have one, or to the wall if your family is sick of listening.
E = eating: protein, fiber, healthy fats, whole grains; don't skip meals!
M = moving: walk outside, stretch, practice yoga, dance wildly to loud music and embarrass your kids.
Could you try to get EACH of these four needs met today? Not all of us have the luxury of meeting our basic needs---now and in general---but if you can plant this STEM in your metaphorical ground, you are getting a great foundation for your immune system AND your mental health.
Some mental health big-picture reminders:
1. Know that we are going to get through this. We will be okay.
2. Breathe. Breathe in through your nose, fully fill your chest and belly, hold it there, then breathe out through the mouth. Repeat. It really helps.
3. Journal, download an on-line meditation app, call your therapist or get an on-line therapist if you can.
4. Look outside. It’s a beautiful day in DC!!! Nature is here for us. Put yourself in it—try taking your shoes off in your backyard or local park to feel fully grounded. Enjoy the scent of flowers, the hum of birds, the damp soil under your feet, and the cheerful sky.
5. Connect with loved ones and disconnect from excess media. Prune your media inputs to reduce stress.
6. Rest up, read a book (remember those?), snuggle with your pets, play board games—and beat your kids at board games to remind them who’s boss. Have fun.
7. Know that I AM HERE FOR YOU on this platform and on my website with regular updates. This more public role is very new for me but is a balm for my soul—so know that you are helping me.